There is a place in position Florida that crafted a twelve-foot-higher monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone may love to do that?
Well, to get started with, heroes are challenging to come back by inside of this commit Florida - the Panhandle capital of scotland- Wausau, dwelling of fewer than five hundred folks all through Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero understandably? No person else puts the possum over a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, back 1982, Wausau acquired sick and tired of being neglected in the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Each individual commit Florida requirements a Pageant. And not one place in Florida carries a Possum Festival. Why not Wausau?
If you have never frequented Washington County, you most likely will think I'm causeing this to get up. If you have been to Washington County, you can expect to realize - and know this is the correct story.
Wausau, it ended up, had some quite highly effective possum politicians in the early '80s. Here i will discuss some things they achieved:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the extremely very first Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led on the constructing in the monument along Point out Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even obtained the United States Congress to market place the possum. Congress joined the fun by giving the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would've a place to assistance its annual Entertaining Day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among other issues, the festival appeals to thousands of individuals Every single and each and every year, plus they uncover it irresistible.
Time out For a lot of educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum will be the similar lowly animal you connect with opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will do?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees get more info and displays its unappealing body only at nighttime. This is exactly why, In case you are inside of suitable put in Florida, you can hear possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', therefore it is not so complicated capture (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription for your monument in the midst of Wausau cites the possum's function in delivering 'both of those fur and foods' throughout the centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their presence right here has offered a useful resource of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in ordinary situations and contains been a big aid to human survival when in distress and significant require.'
Chortle in the event you'd want. The men and women of Wausau will snicker along with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.